In what turned into a nail-biting end to this contest, Naomh Columba got the better of their neighbours Ardara at Pairc na nGael.
Naomh Columba 1-15 Ardara 2-7
In the first half a Ryan Gillespie free got the scoring up and running after 2 min which Gareth Concarr quickly followed suit with a free then from the kick out the alerted Lorcan O’Donnell won the kick and slotted it into the net.
Garreth Concarr got another point before points from Ryan Gillespie, Pauric Ward and Phillip Doherty put the minimum between the sides.
Three points from Concarr put a goal in it at half time Naomh Columba 0-5 Ardara 1-5.
The second half got underway as they started in the first half with traded points from Ryan Gillespie and Gareth Concarr
Naomh Columba clawed their way back with points from Ryan Gillespie sub Lanty Molloy (2) and Phillip Doherty to another Concarr free.
With ten minutes left Naomh Columba led for the first time since the opening score of the game by two but this game had more twists and turns left.
Ardara sub Peter McHugh scored a goal from close range with seven minutes left to put Ardara up by one again.
A minute later a free won by Ryan Gillespie he pointed the resulting free.
Three minutes from the end a good move involving Phillip Doherty hand passing to Kevin McNern who palmed to the net as the home team now led by three.
Ardara went straight on the attack and again Peter McHugh was through on goals but was foiled brilliantly by Shane O’Gara.
Late points from Lanty Molloy and Aaron Doherty sealed a vital two points.
Naomh Columba: Shane O’Gara; Barry Carr, Martin Cunningham, Kieran McBrearty; Tadgh McGinley, Michael McGuire, Stephen Jones; Kevin McNern (1-0), Pauric Ward (0-2); Gavin McGinley, Ryan McNern, Liam Boyle; Phillip McNern, Ryan Gillespie (0-7, 3f), Phillip Doherty (0-2). Subs: Fionn Gallagher for P.McNern, Lanty Molloy (0-3) for Boyle, Aaron Doherty (0-1) for G McGinley, Pauric O’Neill for R.McNern
Ardara: Kieran Gildea; Oisin O’Donnell, Tony Harkin, Daniel Breslin; Nicholas McGuire, Shane O’Donnell, Gerard McHugh; Connor Classon, Brendan McNellis; Oisin Brennan, Johnny Herron, Lorcan O Donnell (1-0); Gareth Concarr (0-7, 4f), CJ Molloy, Tomas Boyle. Subs: John Ross Molloy for Herron, Brendan Boyle for S.O’Donnell, Johnny Sweeney for T.Boyle, Peter McHugh (1-0) for Brennan, Danny Walsh for O.O’Donnell
Referee: Connie Doherty (Naomh Conaill).
